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Continuing our short studies in Luke, this week we are considering Luke 11:14-26. Please read these verses every day this week and, if possible use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 11:14-15 (NIV)
‘Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”’
As a somewhat avid supporter of Rugby Union, I’ve managed to watch quite a few games over the years. Some live long in the memory, while others were instantly forgettable. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch matches in lower leagues where the standard of play is quite poor and I’ve also managed to see World Cup games where the skill levels are sublime.
One thing that they all have in common is that there are always at least 2 sides and 2 distinct sets of supporters.
I remember seeing one particular game where a particularly skilful player managed to pick up the ball deep in his own half, and with deft, quick footwork, sidestepped his way through a number of players in midfield and score a try under the post. His pace was electrifying and no-one could lay a finger on him all the way to the line. I turned to the man on my left and began to extol the virtues of the player and the amazing try he’d just scored. As an opposing team supporter he was particularly unhappy and said that all he’d seen was poor defence and awful positioning from his own team’s players.
One story – two sides.
Well, this is nothing new because it’s exactly what we see in the Scripture today: It’s a very simple narrative where Jesus drives out a demon that was preventing a man from speaking. It’s my guess that this man was well known as a mute and the people were aware of his condition even if they didn’t know its source.
‘The crowd was amazed’. The word ‘amazed’ here, in the original language gives a slightly deeper meaning and provides a fuller understanding of the feelings of the crowd. There are several English verbs including ‘to wonder’, ‘to marvel at’, ‘to be astonished’ and perhaps the deepest of all, ‘to admire’. The full picture therefore is that the crowd were astonished at what was happening in front of them and were full of admiration for Jesus as He restored the man’s speech.
Despite the wonderful response of the crowd, Luke gives us an insight that we always need to be aware of: There are always at least 2 responses to a move of God. There was an incredible sense of admiration for the work Jesus was doing, ‘but some of them said…’.
There will always be those who refuse to accept what God is doing. There will always be people that will try to bring you down when you’re full of praise to God for His work in your life. There will always be people who question the motive and the source of the blessing that you’re experiencing.
My prayer today is we take no notice of those who seek to question God’s work and that we are careful to keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the author of our faith and He is the one who will complete it.
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